Air-quality impacts and issues of energy development in the western United States

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Energy Syst. Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6209111

Devine, M D; Miller, G D

Expanded energy development in the Western states, including coal, oil shale, uranium, oil, and gas, will be required if the United States is to reduce its dependence on imported oil. However, such development will increase emissions of air pollutants, which could threaten the air quality of the region. This paper summarizes some of the key air-quality findings from a multiyear assessment of Western energy development covering the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and Montana. Hypothetical energy-development activities at six sites and region-wide are examined to determine the magnitude of the air-quality impacts. The analysis identifies key factors affecting air quality (including coal characteristics, pollution control levels, terrain features, meteorological conditions, etc.) and summarizes the most-important regulatory issues involved with siting such facilities. the paper then identifies and briefly discusses several policy options for dealing with these issues. It is concluded that to a considerable extent the regulatory system is in place to minimize serious air-quality impacts from energy development, but that further work is needed to simplify the procedural requirements of air-quality regulations. 25 references, 3 figures, 7 tables.

• OSTI ID: 6209111
• Journal Information: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States) Vol. 7:1; ISSN ESYPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500600 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR QUALITY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
REGULATIONS
USA